I "ripped" through the first 8 lessons pretty quickly but for some reason, I keep working on lesson 9. I can't get that song "in my head" for some reason. I guess that's what comes with a progression of difficulty. 

quote:

---

Originally posted by eitek1
 

I "ripped" through the first 8 lessons pretty quickly but for some reason, I keep working on lesson 9. I can't get that song "in my head" for some reason. I guess that's what comes with a progression of difficulty. 

---

Let's break it down into some "flash card" ideas.... Maybe this'll help.  If not, please ignore it and just keep working with the video.

Slide, Slide

C Forward Roll (21521521)

Slide, Slide

D7 Forward & Reverse (32151231)

Slide, Slide

C Forward Roll (21521521)

Slide 

D7 (3251)

3Pinch 3Pinch

Jim, that did it. Thanks. I ran into this with the guitar. I can play a guitar as long as I can see the chord changes. I tell folks I can "mechanically" play the guitar but I can't "make music".  I'm going to have to move past that and figure out the chord progressions. To do that I'm going to have to "let go". 

I realized in my case,  practicing the banjo is a bit like learning to type. I couldn't t really type proficiently until I finally quit looking at the keys and just started typing. Once I look at the keys again my typing slows down, without fail. If I'm typing while thinking of something else, I will accidentally spell the words phonetically. I end up spelling them how they sound not how they are spelled. In other words my body knows how to, without thought, express the sounds through my fingers. 

 I understand on the banjo that you just have to trust yourself to know where the next sound "is" and trust your fingers to find it.  I unintentionally made this transition when I was practicing while watching TV. Once I realized what was happening my playing sounded 100% better. As soon as I started "paying attention" again it sounded worse.  I guess all of this comes with practice and stepping out of your comfort zone.  

I told a relative about my success using your videos and I think he is going to buy a banjo. He said he always wanted to learn to play and I assured him he could if he just followed along. 

When I was learning to play I spent a lot of TV time just watching wrestling and cartoons while I practiced.  I found that giving my eyes something else to do allowed my brain to sort out how to play - at least to a certain degree.  I also tell my students "don't think" pretty regularly too,

That's great news about your relative.  It'll give you a buddy to share ideas with.

Thanks so much for your lessons Jim. I echo what all the other beginners said. Keep reminding me to take it slow. I look forward to the next lesson. I have to slow down and get close to perfect before moving forward. It is just FANTASTIC that you made these great lessons available. THANK-YOU !!1

What a great series! Jim, thanks so much for putting this all together in a way that really made my first month of playing actually sound like something. Looking forward to watching your other vids and exploring this forum / site. Thanks again!

One thing that I've underestimated the importance of was playing slowly. I'm currently learning the simple arrangement of the ballad of Jed Clampett. After playing it badly for a while I was forced to play it quietly and slowly because my wife was watching TV. 

I had also taken out the mute (towel) so I really had to be really attentive to "how" I was playing. Removing the mute really highlighted when I was making mistakes in how I was picking. Playing slowly allowed me to concentrate more closely on what I was doing. When I played it a little faster and louder it sounded much better.

So really take Jim's advice to heart and really play it slowly until you can play it perfectly every time.

you've got another student in Ohio. im 49 and never played anything before. my kids got me a banjo for my birthday in April. ive been doing a lot of youtube things but your videos seem to be the best for beginners. im up to lesson 3 now.
thanks!

It's exciting to see folks using my videos successfully.  I'm very glad the lessons are helpful.  Keep on practicing. 

:)
 

Jim, I'm through all the lessons and "The ballad of Jed Clampett". Could you post a list of which songs a person might learn as a progression on their skills. For instance, technically, what comes after "The ballad of Jed Clampett"?

quote:

---

Originally posted by eitek1
 

Jim, I'm through all the lessons and "The ballad of Jed Clampett". Could you post a list of which songs a person might learn as a progression on their skills. For instance, technically, what comes after "The ballad of Jed Clampett"?

---

From that point the world is pretty much your oyster.  Sure, some stuff is going to be more than you want to tackle, but you should be able to listen to something and have a general idea if it's outside of your current skill set.

My strategy in the beginning was to listen to a break and see if there was stuff there that sounded like stuff I already knew.  Yeah, I know, easier said than done, but don't give up! :)  You might hear something not quite like what you know, but I'm gonna bet there's something in your toolbox that'll work.

All that said try these...  

I'll Fly Away

You Are My Sunshine

I Saw the Light

Shucking the Corn  (You might want to cover this first -- G-Lick with a 3-2 Pull-Off - Lesson - Tip)

Howdy Jim,

I stumbled onto your YouTube videos for absolute beginners out of a curious thought, you presented playing the banjo in an unconfusing, friendly and encouraging manner that made me go get a banjo of my own. I got an old harmony banjo free yesterday afternoon from Craigslist, how about that! Ive since managed to get the high and low parts of cripple creek together, those slides gave me a nice ole blister on my social finger though! I'll probably have to relearn it all once I get some fingerpicks though, haha. Thanks Jim, really enjoying learning with ya'!

Thanks for the suggestions. I was watching the video going through I'll fly away. My 8 year old walked in and asked what are you learning and who's teaching you. I said "I'll fly away" and it's the same guy except he has no beard. My son said "oh it's Jim Pankey". So Jim, just know you are famous to a certain 8 year old.

Thanks again.

Man, am I glad I found this site and these lessons are just what I’ve been looking for.

I’m an old guitar player and had a fancy for the banjo a few years back so my wife bought me one for my birthday. I never got around to due to a mixture of tendonitis and business, but these videos have inspired me. I'm up and running now.

Thank you so much Jim

Does anyone know what brand fingerpicks Jim is using in these videos, or if they're just modified. They seem to come to a defined point rather than a rounded tip. I'd like to try them.

quote:

---

Originally posted by mmock4
 

Does anyone know what brand fingerpicks Jim is using in these videos, or if they're just modified. They seem to come to a defined point rather than a rounded tip. I'd like to try them.

---

They're Ernie Ball Pickey Picks.  You can find them at most well stocked music stores. :)

quote:

---

Originally posted by Jim Pankey
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by mmock4
 

Does anyone know what brand fingerpicks Jim is using in these videos, or if they're just modified. They seem to come to a defined point rather than a rounded tip. I'd like to try them.

---

They're Ernie Ball Pickey Picks.  You can find them at most well stocked music stores. :)

---

Thanks Jim! Seriously bud, keep up the good lessons. They are so immensely helpful, especially when you break down into easy to process/practice chunks. Sincerely, let me thank you for what you've done. Your videos turned me into a banjo player. You seriously have a knack for teaching(which makes sense seeing you are a banjo teacher lol). I'm having a bunch of fun, and really enjoying myself. That blister finally calmed down, and I've been practicing away. 4 days and I can play both breaks of cripple creek, and Banjo the holler. I feel awfully proud of myself, but it couldn't be so without your awesome instruction my friend! Thanks again Jim, I'll check those picks out!

Thanks a lot Mr. Jim. Started working on lesson one today. It seems a little easier the way that you explain it. Thank you for taking the time to do this, as it is much appreciated !

Jim Pankey!  Thanks for your videos.  You are by far the best banjo teacher I have watched on the internet so far.  I like the way you SHOW left hand positions and explain.  I am a beginner, 70 years old, wondering why I waited till now to pick up a banjo and I love it.  One request, could you in the future do one on Doug's Tune?  I have seen the up the neck video you do but would like to see the lower neck parts, like you did Sally Ann, which I am currently using.  Thank you!

Thank you Jim! Great videos for beginners and just the right speed to get people pickin'!

Mr. Pankey just wanted to let you know I've tried to play a guitar for ever and never could get started. But I bought a banjo and started on your lessons and am on Lesson 4 in less than 2 weeks and am really enjoying and learning at the same time. Just thanks from the bottom of my heart for you and your lessons. Thank you very much.

Jim
If your videos had been around when I first picked up a banjo six years ago I would be a much better, confident player by now.  Looks like its back to basics to smooth out some picking.
Thanks for your execelent videos.

Complete beginner here and these videos are far and away the best beginner vids I have found on the net. Thank you so much for creating these. On lesson 9 now and can't thank you enough for helping me get going on the banjo. Still have a lot of work to do, but these videos definitely increase your confidence that learning the banjo is not some impossible task, even for those of us who are less than naturals on the instrument.

Thanks again for all the kind words.  I'm so excited to hear when people are learning from what I've shared.  

I have a new enthusiasm to learn to play banjo since watching your videos. but, I want a high end banjo now. :)